Free diabetes risk testing for children across east Kent starts today
Quick finger-prick test this month could identify type 1 diabetes risk early
Children and young people in east Kent are being offered free finger-prick tests this summer, potentially identifying their risk of developing type 1 diabetes before any symptoms appear.
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) is hosting these clinics as part of the ELSA Study (early surveillance for autoimmune diabetes), a national research programme that focuses on individuals aged two to 17.
The test, taking around five minutes, involves a simple finger-prick blood sample.
Early identification through this method allows families access to ongoing monitoring, support, and future treatment studies if a child's risk is confirmed.
Last year saw participation of nearly 600 children through KCHFT clinics alone.
On the importance of participation, Charlotte Marlow from KCHFT told Hits and Greatest Hits Radio Kent:
"It can make a really big difference.
"For every three out of 1000 children, the three of them will test positive for the antibodies.
"But we have no way of knowing which three children this will be. So ELSA is the largest antibody screening programme for type 1 diabetes in the UK.
"And every family that takes part in our study is helping to understand more about type 1 diabetes for children at risk.
"Because if you don't know you've got that risk and you present with symptoms, these are really nasty symptoms which require you to go to hospital.
"By finding out that you've got these antibodies, parents, carers and children can go on to further research and get more support, more education, and access treatments as well, which will help prevent and detect early type 1 diabetes.
"So it's really important in that sense."
Upcoming summer clinics include Dover Health Centre on 22nd July and Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital, Herne Bay on 27th July.
Further clinics will be available at locations such as Deal Community Clinic on 7th August and Vicarage Lane Clinic, Ashford on 14th August, with the final session at Thanet Community Health Hub on 22nd August.